A Penny for your thoughts

ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Braves maybe interested in acquiring Red Sox starter Brad Penny adding fuel to those Francoeur rumors. At this point it is not known what the Red Sox would want in return for Penny and how the Braves would use him.

In my mind, this trade seems crazy. The Braves have an excellent starting rotation with Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez. Add Kenshin Kawakami and Tommy Hanson and it seems the Braves are set. If Lowe or Vazquez weren’t working out then yes, I would try to trade for another arm. But they are, making Atlanta’s glaring weakness their bullpen, not their starting rotation. I’d rather Atlanta go after some cheaper bullpen options than Penny and his $5 million salary.

In addition, the Red Sox don’t need an outfielder do they? They’ve got Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew already with Rocco Baldelli and Mark Kotsay as a back-ups. What they really need is a short stop, and the Braves should not deal Yunel Escobar. I know they have some studs down in the minors, but Escobar is a budding star who the Braves should hold onto for now.

I am just hoping this stays a rumor.
(Photo: AP; source)